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Geological Society of Australia IncEthicsCODE OF ETHICSEthicsApplication for, or continuation of, membership of the Society shall signifyacceptance of the Society's Code of Ethics.Article I - General Principles1. The practice of geology is a profession, and the privilege of professional practicerequires professional morality, responsibility, and knowledge, on the part of thepractitioner.2. Every geologist shall be guided by the highest standards of business ethics,personal honour, and professional conduct.3. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, impartiality, candour, fidelity to trust,inviolability of confidence, and honourable conduct are incumbent upon everygeologist, not for submissive observance but as a set of dynamic principles to guide away of life.Article II - Relation of Geologist to the Public1. A geologist's responsibility to the public shall be paramount, and he/she shall avoidand discourage sensational, exaggerated and unwarranted statements that mightinduce participation in unsound enterprises.2. A geologist shall not knowingly permit the publication of his/her reports, maps, orother documents, for any unsound or illegitimate undertaking.3. A geologist having or expecting to have beneficial interest in a property on whichhe/she reports must state in his/her report the fact of the existence of such interestor expected interest.4. A geologist shall not give a professional opinion, make a report, or give legaltestimony, without being as thoroughly informed as might reasonably be expected,considering the purpose for which the opinion, report or testimony is desired; andthe degree of completeness of information upon which it is based should be madeclear.5. A geologist may publish dignified business, professional, or announcement cards,but shall not advertise his/her work or accomplishments in a self-laudatory,exaggerated, or unduly conspicuous manner.6. A geologist shall not issue a false statement or false information even thoughdirected to do so by employer or client.Article III - Relation of Geologist to Employer or Client1. A geologist shall protect, to the fullest extent possible, the interest of his/heremployer or client so far as is consistent with the public welfare and his/herprofessional obligations and ethics.

2. A geologist who finds that his/her obligations to his/her employer or client conflictwith his/her professional obligations or ethics should have such objectionableconditions corrected or resign.3. A geologist shall offer to disclose to his/her prospective employer or client theexistence of any mineral or other interest that he/she holds, either directly orindirectly, having a pertinent bearing on such employment.4. A geologist shall not use, directly or indirectly, any employer's or client'sconfidential information in any way that is competitive, adverse, or detrimental tothe interest of employer or client.5. A geologist retained by one client shall not accept, without that client's writtenconsent, an engagement by another if the interests of the two are in any mannerconflicting.6. A geologist who has made an investigation for any employer or client shall notseek to profit economically from the information gained, unless written permissionto do so is granted, or until it is clear that there can no longer be conflict of interestwith the original employer or client.7. A geologist shall not divulge information given him/her in confidence.8. A geologist shall engage, or advise his/her employer or client to engage, and cooperatewith, other experts and specialists whenever the employer's or client'sinterests would be best served by such service.9.A geologist shall not accept a concealed fee for referring a client or employer to aspecialist or for recommending geological services other than his/her own.Article IV - Relation of Geologists to Each Other1. A geologist shall not falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the reputation orbusiness of another.2. A geologist shall freely give credit for work done by others to whom the credit isdue and shall refrain from plagiarism in oral and written communications, and notknowingly accept credit rightfully due to another geologist.3. A geologist shall not use the advantages of salaried employment to competeunfairly with another member of his/her profession.4. A geologist shall endeavour to co-operate with others in the profession andencourage the ethical dissemination of geological knowledge.5. A geologist having knowledge of unethical practices of another geologist, shallavoid association with that geologist in professional work.